Opposition mounts against UGC ban on distance learning psychology courses

The UGC’s decision to ban psychology courses under open distance learning (ODL) from July 2025 has drawn opposition from academics. Experts argue that psychology is widely studied by professionals globally in distance mode and urged UGC to reconsider the ban.

Jangaon: There has been an opposition to University Grants Commission’s recent directions to all higher education institutions to stop offering psychology courses in open distance learning (ODL) mode courses from the July-August 2025 academic session.

The ban applies to all courses which are under the National Commission for Allied and Healthcare Professions (NCAHP) Act 2021. Pertaining to Psychology, NCAHP composed syllabus specifically for applied psychology and behavioural health.

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Speaking to Telangana Today Hyderabad Psychological Association life member Dr Rapolu Satyanarayana stated that psychology is a subject of interest for persons of different fields such as administrators, managers, teachers, lawyers, judges, police, counsellors and health professionals.

They study it as part of their professional training and often pursue psychology courses for better understanding of the subject. Some people study psychology as an academic interest and for research.
Psychology courses have been offered through ODL mode internationally since long back. The Open University of the United Kingdom which was established in 1969 offers courses in psychology and mental health and were accredited by The British Psychological Society.

There has been a certain negative attitude towards ODL that prevails amongst Indian educationists and intellectual circles. That mindset has led to the imposition of a ban on psychology courses in ODL mode.
Easy chair intellectuals in India neither understand the local ground realities nor observe the trends abroad. If there were any lapses in IDL course delivery, correctional measures should be taken instead of entirely banning the course in ODL mode, Dr. Satyanarayana said.

He wanted the UGC and concerned authorities to rethink and lift the ban on psychology courses in distance mode so that those who were interested in studying the course could do so with ease.